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Article VEXED QUESTIONS. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE BIBLE. Page 1 of 1
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Vexed Questions.
forced to admit him to a rank he had obtained in foreign service . The brethren havo now time before them , and we trust that those residing in the Provinces will not be irritated into resentment and injudicious action by the
taunts and jibes of those who ought to guide them ; and that the London Lodges will not surrender their right of judgment , nor lend themselves to any spirit of antagonism that might be provoked by pitting them againsfc the brethren in the Provinces .
They say delays are dansrerons , but the aphorism only applies in urgent cases . Whether the rebuilding of the Temple is urgent or not is a question for the brethren to decide . Grand Lodge , on Wednesday night , did not appear at all in a hurry . Indeed , the chief interest of the
brethren was centred in the status question , and when tbe report of the Special Building Committee was reached a great nnmber bad left , and before tbe discussion ^ that took place was ended , tho Temple was comparatively deserted . The report was received and ordered to be
entered on the minntes , and there the matter appeared likely to end . Bro . Sir John B . Monckton , chairman of the committee , briefly moved the reception of the report , and with the stoicism of a disciple of Zeno , left the whole question in the hands of Grand Lodge . Bro . Binckes
moved a vote of thanks to the Committee , which was seconded and carried , but ifc was not very cordially accepted by those it was intended to p lease . He likewise moved that the report be taken into consideration at the Quarterly Communication in December , which was also carried .
Perhaps this is the better course to pursue , so as to give time to the brethren to master such p lans as have been prepared , and to digest the scheme laid before them . Tbe information obtained by the Special Committee is of a most valuable character , and now the object should be to
perfect a scheme that shall be worthy of the Craft in general and of English Freemasons in particular . The Temple should reflect the genius of the Order ; everything else is of a secondary nature to this . Next should come the Library and Museum , and then the banquetting
arrangements . Of course , the utilitarian part of the scheme should receive due consideration . We cannot expect a tenant to pay £ 2 , 000 a year rent without giving him a fair equivalent ; officers must be provided with accommodationand the conveniences for Lodges and Masonic work
, should be as complete as possible . All this we readily grant , but far beyond lie the questions we have intensified . Towards the solution of the most difficult question—the
rebuilding of the Temple , Bro . Stevens has taken an important step . He has given notice of motion to the effect that under the direction of the Grand Superintendent of Works , architects who are members of the Craft be
invited to send in plans for the new Temple and other buildings and alterations . So far so good ; now it behoves some brother or brethren to take up tbe Library and Museum question , and so complete a work that shall be memorable in years to come and a blessing to generations
yet unborn . The Banquetting Hall is sure to receive attention , and we would not have it neglected . We believe in the advantages of social intercourse , and we would make the surroundings as pleasant as possible . The banquetting room , therefore , should be rich and cheerful , not
only in the interest of the brethren , but also in that of the tenants , who , to pay their rent , must please their customers and increase their trade . There is ample work for the
brethren to do between this and December , and when the time comes we hope the result of reflections and labours will be unity of action and the manifestation of a brotherly spirit of emulation for the good of the Craft at large .
The brethren of the Tredegar Lodge of Instruction , No 1625 , who meet at the Royal Hotel , Mile End-road , will re-assemble on Monday nexfc , the 10 th instant . Bro . Musto P . M . 1349 has kindly promised to rehearse the ceremony of installation , and we may look forward to this popular Preceptor being well supported b y his East-end brethren .
One of the lifeboats established in commemoration of the safe return of the Prince of Wales from India the " Albert Edward , " stationed afc Clacton-on-Sea , succeeded on Sunday afternoon , in rescuing the master and crew of twelve men , together wifch the Norwegian barque " Rome " stranded on the Gunfleet Sands .
The Bible.
THE BIBLE .
A BROTHER whose faith ia the Bible , as a work of inspiration , had become shaken , being under the im . pression that he could no longer retain his Masonic affiliations , applied to me for advice . While regretting that I was a - not a better adviser in such a matter , I suggested that he might " have fallen into the error of
supposing that all the books which are bound Up wifch the volnme commonly called the Bible are received as the work of inspiration . There are many things in it hard to understand , some impossible of explanation , but in the main points ifc undoubtedly speaks the will of the Supreme
Architect of the Universe . In a Masonic Lodge it ia a symbol of the Divine will as revealed to man . Masons are not required to believe all its statements ; indeed , but few intelligent men do . If you will read the answer given by the Law and Jurisprudence Committee to Question 10 , page
50 of the Grand Lodge Proceedings for the year 1879 , you will see that , by implication , at least , the Grand Lodge does uot exact a belief in the Bible as a qualification for Masonry . If yon believe in the existence of a God and the immortality of the soul , you are qualified for Masonry ,
and , of course , if qualified for initiation , to retain yonr connection with the Lodge . You are mistaken in the supposition that the Masonic Institution is founded upon the
Bible . As a symbol , it regards it with the greatest veneration , but there are Lodges in which it is not to be found at all , the Koran or tbe Vedas being substituted . As a Mason I have no right to ask you to belie \ e as I do . "
In this connection I desire to call your attention to an important point which , it seems to me , must have been introduced into our ritual in modern times , without proper consideration as to its effect . It is sometimes taught that tbe Bible is given us as a rule and guide of our faith . The
word " faith , " I think , has undoubtedly been substituted for the word " . conduct , " a by no means synonymous term . In the Ancient Charges we read that although " in ancient times , Masons were charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation , wherever it was , it is
now thought moro expedient to obligate thom to that religion in which all men agree , leaving their particular opinions to themselves , that is to be good men and true , or men of honour and honesty , by whatever denominations or persuasions they may be
distinguished , whereby Masonry becomes the centre of union and the means of conciliating true friendship among persons that must have remained at a perpetual distance . " In another place it is said tbat " hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among ns " Is it not the most arrant hypocrisy
for us to say to an initiate who is of the Hebrew faith , that the Bible—that is the Old and New Testament—are given to him as the rule and guide of his faith ? It may be a rule and guide for his conduct , without doing violence to his faith , or the sublime lessons of morality taught by the
Saviour , were not a new code , but are the essence of all that Moses and the Prophets tanght . I respectfully submit that the proper teaching is that the Bible is given to Masons as the rule and guide of their conduct , and tbat it should nowhere be taught tbat it is a rnle of faith in Masonry , —Frederick Speed , G . M .
Afc fche Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall , which was held on Tuesday last at St . Austell , under the presidency of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Provincial Grand Maater , Bro . W . J . Hughan was presented with a pnrse of 275 sovereigns in recognition of his services to Masonry in the Province . Bro . Hnghan is a Scotchman , who settled first in Devonport , where he was initiated , and then in Truro
in 1866 , and as a Mason with a sincere love of the Order , and an earnest desire to promote its best interests , he set himself to work to see how the Craft could be extended in that county . He worked steadily and perseverinsrly , and , as a result , has s ^ en the Craft afc least doubled in the connty since he became a settler . Bro . Hughan is an historian , an archselogist , a well-read man , and a man who is always
willing , when asked , to impart bis knowledge to others . His knowledge of Masonic history and archaeology is profound , and he is an excellent referee on all Masonic questions . The testimonial presented fo him on Tuesday only represents the power of votes for the Masonic Charities with which he has endowed the Province of Cornwall . His merits have been acknowledged by two Graud Masters of Englnnd . In 1874 the Marquis of Eipon gave him the rank of Senior
Grand Deacon , and on the 2 nd of May last the Prince of Wales conferred on him the dignity of Past Grand Assistant Sojourner , on account of his services to Eoyal Arch Masonry . Bro . Hughan has pnblished several Masonic works , and devoted their profits to tbe Charities . When be retired from tbe office of Provincial Grand Secretary of Cornwall a testimonial of £ 50 was presented to him , and this he also handed to the Charities of the Order . —Evening News
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Vexed Questions.
forced to admit him to a rank he had obtained in foreign service . The brethren havo now time before them , and we trust that those residing in the Provinces will not be irritated into resentment and injudicious action by the
taunts and jibes of those who ought to guide them ; and that the London Lodges will not surrender their right of judgment , nor lend themselves to any spirit of antagonism that might be provoked by pitting them againsfc the brethren in the Provinces .
They say delays are dansrerons , but the aphorism only applies in urgent cases . Whether the rebuilding of the Temple is urgent or not is a question for the brethren to decide . Grand Lodge , on Wednesday night , did not appear at all in a hurry . Indeed , the chief interest of the
brethren was centred in the status question , and when tbe report of the Special Building Committee was reached a great nnmber bad left , and before tbe discussion ^ that took place was ended , tho Temple was comparatively deserted . The report was received and ordered to be
entered on the minntes , and there the matter appeared likely to end . Bro . Sir John B . Monckton , chairman of the committee , briefly moved the reception of the report , and with the stoicism of a disciple of Zeno , left the whole question in the hands of Grand Lodge . Bro . Binckes
moved a vote of thanks to the Committee , which was seconded and carried , but ifc was not very cordially accepted by those it was intended to p lease . He likewise moved that the report be taken into consideration at the Quarterly Communication in December , which was also carried .
Perhaps this is the better course to pursue , so as to give time to the brethren to master such p lans as have been prepared , and to digest the scheme laid before them . Tbe information obtained by the Special Committee is of a most valuable character , and now the object should be to
perfect a scheme that shall be worthy of the Craft in general and of English Freemasons in particular . The Temple should reflect the genius of the Order ; everything else is of a secondary nature to this . Next should come the Library and Museum , and then the banquetting
arrangements . Of course , the utilitarian part of the scheme should receive due consideration . We cannot expect a tenant to pay £ 2 , 000 a year rent without giving him a fair equivalent ; officers must be provided with accommodationand the conveniences for Lodges and Masonic work
, should be as complete as possible . All this we readily grant , but far beyond lie the questions we have intensified . Towards the solution of the most difficult question—the
rebuilding of the Temple , Bro . Stevens has taken an important step . He has given notice of motion to the effect that under the direction of the Grand Superintendent of Works , architects who are members of the Craft be
invited to send in plans for the new Temple and other buildings and alterations . So far so good ; now it behoves some brother or brethren to take up tbe Library and Museum question , and so complete a work that shall be memorable in years to come and a blessing to generations
yet unborn . The Banquetting Hall is sure to receive attention , and we would not have it neglected . We believe in the advantages of social intercourse , and we would make the surroundings as pleasant as possible . The banquetting room , therefore , should be rich and cheerful , not
only in the interest of the brethren , but also in that of the tenants , who , to pay their rent , must please their customers and increase their trade . There is ample work for the
brethren to do between this and December , and when the time comes we hope the result of reflections and labours will be unity of action and the manifestation of a brotherly spirit of emulation for the good of the Craft at large .
The brethren of the Tredegar Lodge of Instruction , No 1625 , who meet at the Royal Hotel , Mile End-road , will re-assemble on Monday nexfc , the 10 th instant . Bro . Musto P . M . 1349 has kindly promised to rehearse the ceremony of installation , and we may look forward to this popular Preceptor being well supported b y his East-end brethren .
One of the lifeboats established in commemoration of the safe return of the Prince of Wales from India the " Albert Edward , " stationed afc Clacton-on-Sea , succeeded on Sunday afternoon , in rescuing the master and crew of twelve men , together wifch the Norwegian barque " Rome " stranded on the Gunfleet Sands .
The Bible.
THE BIBLE .
A BROTHER whose faith ia the Bible , as a work of inspiration , had become shaken , being under the im . pression that he could no longer retain his Masonic affiliations , applied to me for advice . While regretting that I was a - not a better adviser in such a matter , I suggested that he might " have fallen into the error of
supposing that all the books which are bound Up wifch the volnme commonly called the Bible are received as the work of inspiration . There are many things in it hard to understand , some impossible of explanation , but in the main points ifc undoubtedly speaks the will of the Supreme
Architect of the Universe . In a Masonic Lodge it ia a symbol of the Divine will as revealed to man . Masons are not required to believe all its statements ; indeed , but few intelligent men do . If you will read the answer given by the Law and Jurisprudence Committee to Question 10 , page
50 of the Grand Lodge Proceedings for the year 1879 , you will see that , by implication , at least , the Grand Lodge does uot exact a belief in the Bible as a qualification for Masonry . If yon believe in the existence of a God and the immortality of the soul , you are qualified for Masonry ,
and , of course , if qualified for initiation , to retain yonr connection with the Lodge . You are mistaken in the supposition that the Masonic Institution is founded upon the
Bible . As a symbol , it regards it with the greatest veneration , but there are Lodges in which it is not to be found at all , the Koran or tbe Vedas being substituted . As a Mason I have no right to ask you to belie \ e as I do . "
In this connection I desire to call your attention to an important point which , it seems to me , must have been introduced into our ritual in modern times , without proper consideration as to its effect . It is sometimes taught that tbe Bible is given us as a rule and guide of our faith . The
word " faith , " I think , has undoubtedly been substituted for the word " . conduct , " a by no means synonymous term . In the Ancient Charges we read that although " in ancient times , Masons were charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation , wherever it was , it is
now thought moro expedient to obligate thom to that religion in which all men agree , leaving their particular opinions to themselves , that is to be good men and true , or men of honour and honesty , by whatever denominations or persuasions they may be
distinguished , whereby Masonry becomes the centre of union and the means of conciliating true friendship among persons that must have remained at a perpetual distance . " In another place it is said tbat " hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among ns " Is it not the most arrant hypocrisy
for us to say to an initiate who is of the Hebrew faith , that the Bible—that is the Old and New Testament—are given to him as the rule and guide of his faith ? It may be a rule and guide for his conduct , without doing violence to his faith , or the sublime lessons of morality taught by the
Saviour , were not a new code , but are the essence of all that Moses and the Prophets tanght . I respectfully submit that the proper teaching is that the Bible is given to Masons as the rule and guide of their conduct , and tbat it should nowhere be taught tbat it is a rnle of faith in Masonry , —Frederick Speed , G . M .
Afc fche Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall , which was held on Tuesday last at St . Austell , under the presidency of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Provincial Grand Maater , Bro . W . J . Hughan was presented with a pnrse of 275 sovereigns in recognition of his services to Masonry in the Province . Bro . Hnghan is a Scotchman , who settled first in Devonport , where he was initiated , and then in Truro
in 1866 , and as a Mason with a sincere love of the Order , and an earnest desire to promote its best interests , he set himself to work to see how the Craft could be extended in that county . He worked steadily and perseverinsrly , and , as a result , has s ^ en the Craft afc least doubled in the connty since he became a settler . Bro . Hughan is an historian , an archselogist , a well-read man , and a man who is always
willing , when asked , to impart bis knowledge to others . His knowledge of Masonic history and archaeology is profound , and he is an excellent referee on all Masonic questions . The testimonial presented fo him on Tuesday only represents the power of votes for the Masonic Charities with which he has endowed the Province of Cornwall . His merits have been acknowledged by two Graud Masters of Englnnd . In 1874 the Marquis of Eipon gave him the rank of Senior
Grand Deacon , and on the 2 nd of May last the Prince of Wales conferred on him the dignity of Past Grand Assistant Sojourner , on account of his services to Eoyal Arch Masonry . Bro . Hughan has pnblished several Masonic works , and devoted their profits to tbe Charities . When be retired from tbe office of Provincial Grand Secretary of Cornwall a testimonial of £ 50 was presented to him , and this he also handed to the Charities of the Order . —Evening News